The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-31
THE ISSUE FOR 1885.

The members OF the Oablnet, aB t1e
telegraph tells US, are unit In the be-
lief that the Democratic members Of
Congress who differ upon the tarit
question must reconcile their differ-
ences and prepare q modification OF
the tariff law that will provide for
such a reduction OF the revenue as will
prevent In future an increase OF the
surplus In the Treasury, which has be-
come great embarrassment to Demo-
cratic statesmen. This position OF the
Cabinet accords with the opinion
general with Democrats everywhere
throughout the country. The people
desire m odi6cation Of the tariff, and
Democrats especially believe that 1t
should be made the issue with the Re
publican party in 1888. 1t is an issue
for the people as against monopolies
and monopolists. 1t Is an issue for q
fair and just Interpretation OF the Com
stitution as against an Interpretation
fayorlng classes, iavoring the upbuild-
of the few az against the many, favor
ing the making Of great fortunes by
the degradation Of the masses. The
Democratic party is the party Of the
people-their cause Is its cause
neutrality-suspicious. OF the Constitu
ton coming down to them from Jei
ferson, ono of the makers of that In
strument, one Of the fathers and found
era Of the Republic, and with whom
American Dsmocl acy had its origin
their Interpretation is the broad ant
liberal one by which these United
States have gown to the proportion
Of the ireest and greatest nation ofth
earth. That Interpretation Ia simpl
every man is free before the law I
work out his own salvation, and n
man should have any advantage l
law that all others do not share. Tn
existence Of classes argues acknow
edged superiority. Following tn
logic OF the Declaration Of Iudepen'
ence American law should know Il
! classes, and 1t does not, except in II
. tariff act. Therein discrimination
Intentionally marked, there disCrim
nation, as a national force, works gre
wrong, dose great injury, and perp
!, trates a great outrage. We must abb
= ish this wrong, this IL
. guilty and this outrage. Our selt'i
= spect as q people forbids that we asse
" to repetition Of the European 81
: tenn marked by the extremes OF bru'
70 degradation and an impudent, sc
. assertivs and vulgar arlstocra'
T. The purpose and intention OF {
10 American fathers was not IL
20 thus and succeeding generate
10 might achieve sum OF hi
~ piness or civilization that should b.
IL snowy contrast with that Of other
n lions, but that each and every N
~ should find a full measure Of hsT
W nesa under the law up to his linn
vi lions Of intellect and endeavor; t
~ no man should find anything like
III in the law that all other men co
u not advantage themselves Of. 2
'u' present tariff is odious and rep
we nant in this respect. 1t is a law t
A,' only few can profit by, sometime
:, the beggary and ruin Of Others.
Gus ought to be shorn of this objection
y" should either be altered or abolish
nv, , and II abolished it should
-. to make place for a just
70 equitable measure that would
ao no respecter OF persons, that woulC
seS pervaded by the spirit Of the Decl
~ ton Of Independence, that instrun
" that more fully and clearly thar
nu otherS is the charter OF human RI
oo and liberties. With tariff reforr
vy an issue and Cleveland as the ca
sac date for the Presidency, the d.
uA cratic party could take another
u on life and lay the foundations b
Wy and deep for longer control OF
are eral affairs.
and "